Wrapping machine unit



June 20, 1939 c. J. MALHlOT WRAPPING MACHINE UNIT Filed Nov, 4, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. C'tI-mncc J. Mtlhioi @74 r 7720012/ A TTVORNEYS.

June 20, 1939. I c. J. MALHIOT 2,163,047

WRAFPING 'MAGHINE UNIT Filed Nov. 4, 1936 3 SheetS-Shet 2 4a i *9 E14. 1 I I; I

Claxsflce J. Malhioi BYIw @76 9 772 A TTORNEYS.

INVEN TOR.

June 20, 1939. c. .1. MALHIOT 2,163,047

WRAPPING MACHINE UNIT Filed Nov. 4, 1956 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J4 1E9 J5 Wm i IN V EN TOR. Clarence. J. Muhioc A TTORN E YS.

Patented June 20, 19 3 9 fumi .zasau-i- 1 waarrmc moms mil-r Clarence I. Malliiot, Oak mnt, aslignol' to" F.B.BedingtonO-,0llim,macorpora tionoi' Illinois Application November 4, 1m, Serial No. 109,15

commonly employed for wrapping packages and particularly to a-unit for wrapping machines of that type. More specifically, the invention re ,5 iates to a'unit adapted to beincorporated in\a wrapping machine which'seals the wrapper about a package.

An important object oi the invention .is to provide a new and novel device for positive]? 10 sealing a package to make it moisture proof and to prevent leaking of the package by the employ: ment of means adapted to engage the flaps or seams to be sealed of a package and maintain .a'

predetermined temperature so as to prevent the i wax or other adhesive used from cooling too rapidly and thereby inhibit the proper feeding action of the package and, in some instance, even causing tearing of the-package.

Another object of the invention is to provide 0 a sealing element which is provided with a water circulating system to maintain the elements at the proper temperature to prevent the adhesive on the package from cooling too rapidly. and

further to prevent the wax or adhesive from 2 sticking to the element whereby the wrapped package to be sealed always remains free of the a wax or adhesive, insuring that the package will freely and readily 'move to dischar i Position- A further object of the invention is to pro- 30 vide a plurality of elements located in a predetermined position and operating in a predetermined manner so as to positively cause a-tight seal to be made on the package without cooling the sealed seams and laps too rapidly, thereby f 35 overcoming the possibility of the wax sticking to and caking' up the element.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress ofcthe following specification.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention, and'the views therein are as follows: I

45 the invention-applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is .a detail transverse the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. V V I Fig. 3 is a; detail vertical sectional view on the line3-39i Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the lines l-lci Figs. 1 and 3.

sectional view. on

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view through a modified form of element which can 56 81111511! tuted for the element shown in Figs. 1 to .4.

is Fig. 6 is a de l p p t ve v ews): one term 7 1 is a detail elevational view, partly in section, of a wrapping machine unit and having oi'package in connection with which the invention is described. Fig. '1 is a view of the converse package. Y

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a package 5 having a diflerent form of wrapper thereabout, all the seamsof the wrapper being on one side of the package. v

Fig. 9 is a detail sectionalview showing a modifledform oiflreater block arrangement.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but show-' ing a modified form oi sealer element.

- The type of machine with which the present unit is adaptable may be any conventional type side of the. U

of wrapping machine which includes a base upon which a conveyor 8 isrigidly mounted or supported. The conveyor 8 herein shown is in the form of a channel into which the upper reach 9 of a conveyor chain l0 is-adapted to travel.

The conveyor chain may be operated in any particular manner such as by a drive sprocket II I arranged-at one end oi. the, conveyor, and the conveyor chain Ill may operate over an idler pulley I! as shown in Fig. 1. The conveyor chain is provided with a plurality of spaced pusher lugs II which are adapted to em c ,8 Packageand 'move' it-along' continuously or intermittently in accordance with the manner inwhich the drive ll operates. Instead of the particular conveyor vided. with means (not shown) for folding a wrapper ll, Figs. B-and 7,,about a package l5 whereby the tree edge of the wrapper or the lapped. 111 ll thereof and the end flaps l1 and I8 are provided. 'The wrapping machine is also adapted to apply an adhesive of a particu- 4o lar kind and nature to the seam I6 and to the seams around and about the end flaps l1 and II. The purpose of the invention primarily is tocause the package to be completely and tightly sealed to provide a moisture-proof package. and while the invention is adaptable for use in con-' ;nection' with various kinds of adhesives the present in. ention is described in connection with wax as the esive or binding agent,

After the wrapping machine has completed 'jflapsi'l and and possibly underneath the stead of applying the wax to the wrapper the (0 tance above the said upper surfaces 3|.

ranged in close proximity to the heater blocks entire wrapper itself may be made of material containing wax .or equivalent adhesive whereby the wax is melted at a predetermined temperature to provide sealing contact with various parts of the package, particularly along the seams and free edges of the wrapper and flaps. It suflices to say, therefore,'that the wrapper being used has either wax or paraflin applied thereto, is wax or paraflin treated, or-is a wrapper of the. type which is commonly known as waxed paper.

Heater devices l9, designated herein as'heater blocks, are arranged in a particular manner so that the package, when wrapped, will be carried by the conveyorchain |9 between the'heater devices or blocks l9, Fig. 2. The heater devices or blocks l9 may comprise lower side blocks 2l and 2| mounted inwardly of the side edges 22 of the conveyor channel or guide 8. A channel-shaped guide or block 23 is arranged between the blocks 29 and 2| and is provided with an opening 24 through which the upper reach 9 of the conveyor chain I9 is free 'to pass. The blocks 20 and 2| are provided with recesses 25 and 25 into which the overhanging edges 21 and 28 on the upper heater block 29 are received.

The upper heater block 29 is provided with a longitudinal groove or opening 30, Fig. 2, which is shaped to conform with the shape of the package to be sealed. The package l5 therefore has its bottom surface supported on the upper surfaces 3 of the blocks 29, 2| and 23. The side edges and the top of the package are encased bythe' :material of the heater block 29 which surrounds the longitudinal groove or recess 39. The package is urged along its path by a lug B on the chain II), which lug extends a. predetermined dis- The block 29 has fixed thereto upstanding pins or bars 32 which extend through proper supports 33 carried by a part 34 of the wrapping machine frame. Springs 35 are arranged between the upper surfaces of the block 29 and the lower surfaces of the member 34 and thereby tend to urge the block 29 downwardly. The block 29 is therefore free to have vertical movement, the amount of vertical movement being determined or limited by the washers or other stops 35. The package.

|5 as it passes.,through' the heater devices or blocks l9 therefore rats upon and is urged against the upper surfaces of the lower elements 2|, 2:, 2: and the package is caused to bear firmly against the surfaces 3| of these elements 29, 2| and 23. The wax or paraflin or other adhesive which is on the package 5 is caused to soften to the proper extent to permit a seal to be effected between the contacting parts of the wrapper.

or cooling elements have been arfor the p se of chilling or cooling the wax'and causing it to set in the endeavor to form a tight seal. In actual practice it has been found that such a cooling arrangement is impractical in manyinstances, because the cooling elements set the wax too quickly. Leaking or free wax was picked up by the cooling element and formed a; rough coating thereon and on the package, and inhibited the free movement of the package. Furthermore, the accumulation of this wax on the cooling elements, particularly where these elements engaged the package, package causeda rough or caked lurface preventing 'a proper seal and in manyinstances caused the seams to tear and open before the wax was properly set. Another disadvantage in the cooling system was that the wax would become set-so quickly that the wax would become lumpy or'caked and form voids, preventing the accomplishment of a moisture-proof package. The present invention has been designed to obviate these inherent disadvantages, by providing an improved sealer element 31 located ata suitable position in the conveyor in advance of the heater devices l9.

The sealer element 31 comprises lower spaced blocks 38 and 39 and a central U-shaped block 40 which conform in shape to the previously describe blocks 20, 2| and 23, respectively, and are provided with the'aforesaidjsurfaces 3| to prop- -erly support the lower surfaces of the package l5, Fig. 3. The blocks 38 and 39, however, are provided with longitudinal bores or passages 4| 'and are connected preferaby at their bottoms with a pipe line 42, Fig. 3, there being vertical bores or passages 43 provided therein to effect 7 communication between the longitudinal passages 4| and the connecting pipe line or passage 42. The upper block 44 is substantially the same shape and contour as the previously described heater block 29, but is provided with three longitudinal bores or passages 45, 46 and 41, Figs. 3 and 4. Y These passages are connected inwardly by end passages 48, Fig, 4. A pipe line 49 connects the lower block 39 with one side of the upper block 44, there being a passage communicating with the opening inthe lower block 39 and a passage 5|' connecting the passage 41 in the upper block to the pipe line 49. A feed pipe line 52 leads from a pump 53 tothe upper block 44, there being a communicating passage 54 in the block 31 to form communication between the longitudi nal opening in the upper block and the pipe line 52. A lower pipeline or discharge line 55 makes communication through the passage 55 with theopening 4| in the lower block 38, and this line 55 leads to'a tank 57 in which water-or other suitable liquid 53 is kept. A pipe line 59 connects the tank 51 to the pump 53, the pump-53 being driven in any suitable manner such as by an electricmotor. A heating element is'operatively arranged in the tank 51 to heat the water 58 to the desired temperature.

In .the particular machine described, beingof a predetermined size for a package of certain dimensions, it has been found that a temperature range from 110 degrees to 118 degrees Fahrenheit is the proper'temperature to use because the device operates more advantageously when such temperature range is used for the specific purpose-intended. Of course, in machines of a different size to accommodate a different or large package the temperature is varied to accommo-- date and suit the purpose intended. Too, the

kind of wax, parafljin or other adhesive used will heating element 59 to keep the water in the tank 51 somewhere between the desired temperatures. The circulating water, therefore, is maintained at the proper temperature and is pumped by .the pump 53 through the line 52 into the block 31, passing through the passages 45, 45,41, and out through the line 49 into the lower block 39. This water then flows through the passage 4| in the block 39 through the line 42, then through the passage 4| in the block 38, and out through th line 55 whereit is again discharged into "2 tank'51.

except the flaps l2 and the wrapper overlap It The water is maintained at the proper temperature. which. is preferably between 110 degrees and 118 degrees Fahrenheit fora machine of the present size, and is continually circulated throughout the sealer element. By keeping the sealer element at a predetermined temperature the flaps and seams of the wrapper have a chance to be compressed tightly against the companion parts of the wrapper and the cooling of the wax is slow or delayed, thereby preventing the formation,of lumps and voids which would occur if the wax were set too quickly. Furthermore, by maintaining the heater elements at the predetermined temperature there is very little likelihood, if any, of the wax' adhering to the surfaces of the sealing element, and even such wax which would stick to the sealing element would be soft enough to permit it to be rubbed ofi by the next succeeding package without-in any way harming or tearing the wrapper. While it may seem that the water circulated through the sealing element would be heated by heat picked up by conduction from the heater element of the heater block IS, the sealer element cools by radiation and, therefore, it is not a .matter of starting out with cold or cool.

water which becomes heated by operation-be-' cause any heat in addition to the temperature or the water is thrown off-by radiation and therefore dissipated. The arrangement is such that the water circulated throughout the sealer -is constantly maintained at a temperature from about 110 degrees to 118 degrees Fahrenheit for the present machine.

The upper sealer block 31 is also supported on the member or bar 33 being resiliently mounted by means of the pins 32, springs 35 and elements 36 previously described in connection with the heater blocks.

For forming a seal of a package different than the package shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a difierent. type of sealer may be employed. In Fig. 5 the sealer element comprises side blocksil. and i3.

and a central block 64 which conform generally to the previously described blocks 38, 39 and-l0.

The device is so constructed that the package i5, Fig. 5, rests on the upper surfaca of the central block 64 and has its end flaps i5 resting on top of the blocks 62 and 83. Upper blocks 66 and 61 are spring urged by the spring 35 against the bottom blocks 62 and 63 to provide'the necessary pressure on the flaps. A central block .68 is adapted to rest on the package as shown. The

' blocks 62, 63, 66, 61 and-68 are provided with passages 69 and have propercommunication in the manner similar to that shown in Fig.. 3 ior the sealer 31. Pins are provided to support the dethereof, there being upstanding projections 15 at. the side edges to engage and guide the package 13. This lower block, Fig. 9, is also provided with'the' opening 24 through which a transporting. or translating device such as the specific conveyor chain llmay operate. V

' The package 13, Fig. 8, is shown-similar in size and shape to the package shown in F188. 6 and '1 V are all on the same side-thereby providing all .the

seams II on one side of the wrapper. It is obvious that various shaped and sized packages may be used in connection with the present machine as all that is requiredis change in the block designs of the heater and sealer elements. y

In Fig. 10, .the sealer element 31 has its lower block shaped like the lower block of the heater element shown in Fig. 8 to accommodate the package 13, Fig.8. The upper block 44, Fig. 8, is similar to the upper block shown in Fig. 3 but .has its bottom formed similar to the lower surface of the upper heater block shown in Fig. 9,

and therefore may accommodate the package 13 shown in Fig. 8. The lower block 80, Fig. 10, is shown without fluid passages but if the same be desired it may be operatively hooked up with the fluid circulating system. However, where all the seams are on one side of the package as shown in Fig. 8, no circulating passages or system is required for the bottom block. A return line BI is directly connected to the upper block 44, Fig. 10,

and discharges-into the tank 51.

The invention provides a novel unit for positively causing the proper sealing of a package whereby a moisture-proof package is attained.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without 'departing from the spirit of .the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to niake all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims, I The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. The. combination with a wrapping machinehaving a channel-shaped support, of a conveyor chain operating in said s ipport a sealereieme'nt adjacent the conveyor, said sealer element comprising an upper member and a lower member.

one of. said members having a portion thereof forming a guide for said conveyor chain to permit a wrapped article to be moved betweensaid members, and the other of said members having;restricted movement to permit passage of the article, while at the same time pressing said article betweensaid members,.means connecting the members together, and means for passing a heated fluid through said upper member, said connection and said lower member. 2. A sealer element for wrapping machine comprising an upper member having a plurality of passages therein, a lower member including spaced elements each having a passage therein, a line communicating with the passage in said lower elements, another line having communication with the passage in the upper element and the passage in one of said lower elements, a second line having communication with one of said lower I elements and said tank, another line leading from said tank to said upper element, and a pump interposed within said last named line,

3. A sealer element for wrapping machines comprising an upper member having a passage therein, a lower member including spaced elements each having a passage therein, a line communicating with the passage in said lower elements, another line having communication with the passage in the upper element and the passage in one of said lower elements, a second line having communication with one of said lower elements and said tank, another line leading from said tank to. said upper element, a pumpinterposed within said last named line, a heater element adapted to heat the fluid in'said supply tank, and an aquastat controlling the operation 'of the heater element.-

4. A method of sealing packages containing adhesive along the seams thereof, comprising heating said adhesive, conveying the packages to a sealing station, heating a fluid medium, circulating said heated fluid medium across said packages to prevent too rapid cooling of said adhesive, and sealing said packages.

5. The combination in a wrapping machine, of means for transporting a wrapped article, main and auxiliary spaced apart sealing members, said main member having a recess and the auxiliary member cooperating with said recessed main member to form a housing for closely encircling the wrapped article, said main member being constructed to receive part of the transporting means to permit the wrapped article to be moved between said main and auxiliary members and through the encircling housing formed thereby.

6. The combination in a wrapping machine, of-means for transporting a wrapped article, spaced first and second sealing members, said first member being constructed to receive the transporting means and having a surface to support the wrapped article in its movement there.-

.acrol, the second member having restricted movement to permit the passage of the wrapped article between said sealing members, and means operatively engaging said second sealing member for causing said second member to apply a force to the wrapped article supported on the first member to effectively press and seal the wrapper about'the article.

means for transporting a wrapped. article, and

means for sealing the wrapper about the article, said means comprising spaced upper and lower sealing members, said lower member including a central block and a pair of end blocks located on oppositesides of the central block, said end blocks supporting the ends of the wrapper to be sealed and said central block supporting the body means for transporting a wrapped article, and

means for sealing the wrapper about the article, said means comprising spaced main'and auxil- 7. The combination in a wrapping machine, of-

A iary sealing members, said main member includ ing a central block and a pair of end blocks located on opposite sides of the central block, said end blocks supporting the ends of the wrapper to be sealed and said central block supporting the body of the wrapper and the article therein,

said auxiliary member cooperating with said blocks of the main member to form a chamber.

' to receive the wrapped article, said auxiliary member and said end blocks of the main member each having a pamage therein, and means for circulating a fluid medium'at a predetermined temperature through said passage to seal the.

wrapper about the article.

9. The combination in a wrapping machine having means for transporting'a wrapped article and means for sealing the wrapper about the article, said means comprising a main member including a plurality oi sealing blocks lying in a common plane and providing a supporting surface to receive the wrapped article, and an auxiliary member including a sealing block in spaced relation to said main member and havingoutwardly extending flanges at the side margins thereof, certain of the blocks of the main member having notches to receive said flanges whereby all of said sealing blocks cooperate to form a sealing chamher for receiving the wrapped article. one of said sealing blocks of the main member being provided with a guideway to receive a portion of the transporting means to permit the wrapped article to be moved through said sealing chamber.

10. The combination in a wrapping machine having means for transporting a wrapped article and means for sealing the wrapper about the article, said means comprising a main member including a plurality of sealing blocks lying in a common plane and providing. a supporting surface to receive the wrapped article, and an auxiliary member including a sealing block in spaced relation to said main member and having outwardly extending flanges at the side margins thereof, certain of the sealing blocks of the main member having notches to receive said flanges whereby all of said sealing blocks cooperate to form a sealing chamber for receiving the wrapped article, one of said sealing blocks of the main member'being provided with a guideway to receive a portion of the transporting means to permit the wrapped article to be moved through said sealing chamber, and means for maintaining certemperature.

tain of said blocks at a predetermined sealingv 

